Nepalās Earthquake: Through the Eyes of Jon Kedrowski
When the massive earthquake struck Nepal last month, Colorado-based ZEAL AmbassadorĀ Jon KedrowskiĀ was just above Everest base camp. We caught up with him on his way back home for his insight on the thankless road ahead for those affected by the quake in Nepal. Catch his recap and join the movement in helping to rebuild through our partners at the dZi Foundation HERE.
Tell us about your experience on the mountain during the quake.
A: The quake was actually fascinating from a scientific perspective. Standing on the glacier when it shoot like crazy, but what was scary in Everest Basecamp was seeing the avalanche come and wipe out central base camp.
How did you learn the extent of the damage?
A: The extent of the damage in base camp was seen when I took a walk down to the the center of camp about 200 yards away. Ā Some of the camp was completely missing. Ā Tents and belongings gone. It was like a hurricane of compressed air hit the camp and some of the people were tossed across the camp for several hundred yards.
What did you do after the initial shock of the quake?
A: I lent a helping hand to the injured in base camp and I also was very concerned for the people of Nepal and hearing about the damage across this country. There is a huge need for assistance from the outside world.
Tell us about the trek out. What are the villages like?
A: Honestly, most of the Villages were intact with minor damage; but in a few cases, buildings were flattened in Pheriche and Thame, respectively.
A: I am based in the Village of Namche Bazar and taking daily trips not only to assess local damage and film for a documentary, but here to do a little bit of work in the villages I see and I am actually collecting earthquake data from stations that recorded information about how the Earthquake may have changed Mt. Everest and shifted portions of the Himalayas up to 3 feet in different directions. We may also find that Everest got taller.
What needs do you see for Nepal?Ā Ā
A: Basic help with food and water. But more importantly, here in the Khumbu at High elevations, the need to restore homes that were flattened because people above 11,000'/3300m do need food and shelter.
Be sure to visit Jonās website atĀ www.jonkeverest.org/blog for updates and featured photos of the damage on his InstagramĀ @drjonkedski.
